Hell to Pay: BTS--Fleet Faction: Japan

[John 3rd]

December 7-8, 1941
Malaya and the Western DEI

12-7
Hostilities commence with heavy air strikes against all the normal places in northern Malaya.

The main landing is at Kuantan. ALL the troops move there so an equivalent 3.5 ID land. Of those, 2+ Divisions unload on the 7th, base falls on the 8th, and unloading is nearly finished. This move is covered by all four Kongo-Class BC, several CLs, and about 12 DD.

An IJA Paratrooper unit begins flying in to Patani. Nearly 70 TR are used to begin this move.

A large Fast TF carrying an entire IJA Brigade ends its movement about 6 hexes NNE of Singakawang.

12-8
All air attacks shift over to ground assault to slow a fast retreat from all point north of Mersing and Malacca.

Kuantan falls and 100 Japanese Fighters move into the intact AF. They will provide CAP and LRCAP for tomorrow's operations.

The Paratrooper unit is now completely in Patani and the troops prepare for a combat drop on the 9th on Malacca.

A complete Infantry Division that did not unload at Kuantan now is ordered south to Mersing. The STF's mentioned above escort and provide cover for the move. Nearly 75 Zeros and Oscars will provide cover.

To keep the enemy from mining the waters of Mersing, 4 DD are detached to sweep along the eastern coast and, sure enough, they catch and sink 2 CM sent to mine the waters. NICE!

The Fast TF lands at Singakwang and delivers a devastating bombardment inflicting over 600 casualties.

12-9 Plans
Mersing and Malacca will be attacked. Nearly 100 IJA bombers will strike any troops at Malacca. A LRCAP of 30+ Fighters will cover the air drop and strikes.

Singakwang should fall. Two follow-on TFs have left and are two days away from unloading a Base Force, small Infantry unit, and Air Division.

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[John 3rd]

The Philippines and Eastern DEI
Dec 7-8, 1941

12-7
The Japanese nail the main Luzon AFs: Manila 36 Z and 81 Betty/Nell, Clark 36 Z and 63 Betty/Nell, and Iba sees 27 Z and 27 B. The raids come in low at 5,000 Ft and plasters all three AF.

The Manila AF strike opens the door for two CV strikes against Manila shipping. CARDIV2 hits from the SE with 59 Z, 45 Val, and 53 Kate while two CVL to the west add 28 Z and 21 Kate. In a solid performance the aircraft sink 3 SS and damage 12 more, sink DD Pillsbury and a YO. Over a dozen other ships are hit and damaged.

A small group of three CVE hit several AK and AP just north of Mindanao. Several are sunk.

Troops land and take Batan north of Luzon so 36 Zeros can be slightly closer on the 8th.

Long-legged TINA fly from Peleliu and drop IJN Paras on Cotabato and capture this Size 2 AF. A group of 18 Val and 18 Kate fly in and prepare to go active from this new base.

12-8
A massed Port strike hits Manila with 42 Z and 83 Betty/Nell. The attack sinks another SS, DD Peary, an AP, 3 AKL, a YO, and an AM. Nearly 20 other ships are hit as well.

Bataan sees a strike hit the AF/Pt as well inflicting damage that will take time to repair.

Four Japanese STF move into the Philippine's waters. The three CV TF move slightly southwards and prepare for operations.

The Paras flying out of Peleliu shift targets and capture Ternate destroying Air Search aircraft and nearly 12 P-40s that were trying to leave the area. NICE!

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[RangerJoe]

Brain Fart on my part. Yes--#4.

You are correct but there AIN'T no Kamikaze DB carrying 800Kg in my world. LOVE THEM dropping those ship killers.

Maybe not a Brain Fart but maybe too much snow! I read where the Donner Pass only received 100 inches of snow over a 4 day blizzard. I always say that I prefer the blizzards from Dairy Queen than those from Mother Nature!

Yes, those 800 kg bombs are nice.

[John 3rd]

Too much snow??? More like not enough. The Front Range is getting mighty dry right now and when we were up at the cabin (8500 Ft) there was only about 4 feet there. That might sound like a lot but there was between 8-16 FEET of snow up there at this time last year. We definitely need more right now!

[John 3rd]

Hawaiian Operations
Dec 7-9, 1941

The Dai Ichi Kido Butai struck Pearl Harbor struck Pearl Harbor with 107 Zero, 102 Val, and 111 Kate. They did encounter 12 Fighters on their way into the target. You may guess the results.

The Strike found 9 BB in the harbor and hit them all solidly. The Nevada, Mississippi, New Mexico, California, Washington, and Idaho all took heavy damage. Tennessee and Oklahoma had heavy fires and Arizona emerged pretty lightly damaged. Not bad. Additionally, CLV Patuxent was heavily damaged, a DM, and DD Jarvis were sunk.

The AFs were plastered by nearly all of the Vals and two Daitai of Zeros. AFs were put at about 50% damage.

12-8
I depart from tradition and smack PH again on the 8th. Results not too bad as 46 Zero, 102 Val, and 90 Kate reappear. A number of planes are destroyed on the ground, AF damage goes up to 60%+, and BB Tennessee, Nevada, and Pennsylvania take a further 1-2 bombs while CLV Patuxent gets another hit and CL's Phoenix and St Louis are hit twice each. Pretty fair.

Tried releasing the Midget SS on this day but they had no success.

12-9
KB refuels and takes one more strike at PH. The enemy is ready for it this day. A pair of 24 Zero Sweeps lead the attack against 60 American Fighters. The Japanese shoot down 12 for 1. NICE! The Strike arrives with 46 Zero, 100 Val, and 90 Kate. Only 19 American Fighters remain to contest the attack. Down goes another 6 Fighters for 4 Japanese planes. The AFs are seriously struck again raising damage to nearly 75%. The Port Strike is disappointing with the poor CLV getting hit along with New Mexico, Nevada, an AK, and an AP.

12-10
Plans for tomorrow are for the KB to move west and all Vals are set for Naval Attack/AF Attack. Kates are all lined up for hitting the AF at PH again. After that, we will move out to support the Midway Landing.

Losses for these day amount to a total of 5 Zero, 7 Val, and 6 Kate. Not bad for three days of attacks!

[John 3rd]

Philippine Operations
December 9, 1941

The Japanese STF and CARDIV2 deliver some heavy blows against the Asiatic Fleet. In a very bad day for the American Fleet in this region, CL Boise is sunk. Sorry Michael but NICE! The Destroyermen take it on the chin as DD's Edsall, Edwards, Alden, Whipple, Trippe, and Stockton are SUNK. Several more DDs are hit with DD Mayrant in sinking condition. Additionally, an AP, 2 TK and a PC are sunk.

Bad weather prevents strikes on Luzon.

Landings at Vigan and Aparri occur without issues.

Take a look:

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[John 3rd]

Just a query...who is going to be regularly reading this AAR?

What would you be curious for me to talk about? The Mod? Japanese Economy?? Planning???

[John 3rd]

Gregg asked me to Post this for him since he missed the deadline before I closed the AAR:

My full name is Gregg Powell - always have gone by Cheesesteak in the forum. I meant to post the other night, but as my email implied, life intervened.

If you wouldn't mind posting something in your AAR on my behalf:

"Looking forward to this game, but in many ways dreading the rematch. A few die rolls and more than a bit of luck conspired to give me a lopsided battle in our last game. Nothing motivates like the sting of defeat due to a bit of randomness, and I will have to adapt tactics and overall strategy in a game that has already started painfully. I had the advantage of being a more or less unknown quantity going into our first game. With that gone, I'll have to rely on 1) arbitrary uniqueness, 2) more luck, or 3) making my own AAR and soliciting advice. Currently do not have the dedicated time for 3, but that may change.

I highly encourage folks to give this mod a shot. The fun part of WITP for me has always been the asymmetry, and this mod amplifies that in ways I find enjoyable"

[anarchyintheuk]

Crush the imperialist dogs. I would include a popcorn eating emoji but I lack necessary technical skill and attention span.

[RangerJoe]

Just a query...who is going to be regularly reading this AAR?

What would you be curious for me to talk about? The Mod? Japanese Economy?? Planning???

All of the above are good to me. If your opponent does an AAR, I may read both side but then not comment about possible tactics or objectives but rather how to do this or what to be aware of. Since this is a mod, that does change some things however. But if you don't change too much in the database, then I won't have to download and install the mod just to check on things.

BTW, Ernest Evans MOH was on the Alden at the start of the war. My understanding is that he turned the USS Johnston to attack the Center Force before he had orders to do so.

[Dewey169]

Just a query...who is going to be regularly reading this AAR?

What would you be curious for me to talk about? The Mod? Japanese Economy?? Planning???

I follow all of the AAR’s as I’m always open to thoughts about how people come up with their tactics and strategies. Usually shy away from asking questions as always think I’d give something away by accident. Curious to see how the mod plays out..

[Gnack]

I am following and looking forward to seeing how your Hawaiian adventure progresses

[ny59giants]

Of course I will follow and offer all sorts of advice along with some on our long phone calls.
However, I will still be routing for the sinking of all Japanese warships.
Go P-38 Lightnings!!

[RangerJoe]

Of course I will follow and offer all sorts of advice along with some on our long phone calls.
However, I will still be routing for the sinking of all Japanese warships.
Go P-38 Lightnings!!

So you are planning the movements for the Japanese warships so they will be sunk? How about have them sail past the guns of San Francisco to invade Alameda or Mare Island? Or have them sail past the guns of Victoria to go to Tacoma?

Me, I am rooting for a good game where both players have fun and enjoy the game!

[bigred]

Campaigns require planning and forethought. Over the last decade-and-a-half of game play I have grabbed Tahiti, taken ALL of Australia, done the same with New Zealand several times, and TRIED to take the tar baby that is India. Have always found it impossible to simply expand to a reasonable perimeter and STOP. Admitting to this handicap is the first step towards recovery. Right? WRONG!

This man is not joking!!!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 10-13, 1941
The Pacific

Gregg and I got four turns in yesterday. This is nice work to get the ball rolling and establish some momentum.

NoPac
Convoys moving to or unloading at Paramushiro Jima in preparation for the moves to the east in the Aleutians. Three convoys are loading for Atka, Adak, and Attu. Each will have Infantry and Engineers.

CenPac
The Midway Invasion Force (carrying an SNLF Brigade, BF, and Engineer Unit) WAS on schedule for a December 14-15th landing. The Close-In Escort is 2 CL and 6 DD. The TF passes Marcus and is spotted by Air Search from from Wake on the 11th. The 12th sees two small SBD strikes (probably from CVL King's Mountain) that sink 2 AK and damaged an AMC. All were carrying troops. Lose about 500 troops. Route the TF back towards Marcus and move 18 Zero to Marcus for LRCAP. The enemy disappears on the 13th.

Probably headed to NoPac. Will pull the three TF there back and wait a bit.

Dai Ichi Kido Butai slowly moves westwards crossing past the northern Hawaiian Ilse. After bad weather on the 10th, the KB throws strikes on the 11th:
1. 24 Zero Sweep PH finding no opposition.
2. 85 Z escort 126 Kates on an AF strike at PH. They destroy 3 planes on the ground, damage 43 more, and put 35 holes in the runways.
3. 26 Val hit shipping around PH sinking DD Schley and hitting the USS Chew with 1 Bomb.
4. 32 Z and 21 Val nail a group of DM moving in from Johnston Isle. Two are sunk and more is crippled.

The 12th-13th sees the KB pull away and move NW passing Midway. With a CVL nearby, they will provide direct support. May split off a CARDIV to go north...

SoPac
Small Invasion Forces begin landing at Lae, Manus, Madang, Buin, Tulagi, and Lunga. These troops are small Infantry units with a Construction or Base Force unit attached for the landing. I knew the Scouting Force was down near Pago Pago when the 7th occurred and THOUGHT I had one more day, however, the enemy shows up with Enterprise and Lexington operating separately north and south of the Solomons. They sink 3 AK and 2 AKL.

This is acceptable as I WANT the Allies THINKING I am coming South and Southeast. Let them concentrate reinforcements and warships in the WRONG theatre as I prepare to take Hawaii!

Looking towards Hawaii, 5-6 convoys are travelling towards the Marshalls for staging and prep for the assaults. So far an Infantry Division and two Brigades are moving east as well as numerous AA, Base Forces, and Engineers.

THINKING
I am walking a very specific line. Many of these moves parallel our first match. I want him to THINK I am following the same rulebook as I prepare to catch and trap him. He is very, VERY daring with his CVs to start with and I want to pick off one or two if possible before the Hawaiian Operation takes full form...

[John 3rd]

Campaigns require planning and forethought. Over the last decade-and-a-half of game play I have grabbed Tahiti, taken ALL of Australia, done the same with New Zealand several times, and TRIED to take the tar baby that is India. Have always found it impossible to simply expand to a reasonable perimeter and STOP. Admitting to this handicap is the first step towards recovery. Right? WRONG!

This man is not joking!!!

I never, EVER joke about my addictions!

[RangerJoe]

Campaigns require planning and forethought. Over the last decade-and-a-half of game play I have grabbed Tahiti, taken ALL of Australia, done the same with New Zealand several times, and TRIED to take the tar baby that is India. Have always found it impossible to simply expand to a reasonable perimeter and STOP. Admitting to this handicap is the first step towards recovery. Right? WRONG!

This man is not joking!!!

I never, EVER joke about my addictions!

Well, I had been thinking of changing my legal name to "Joe King" so if someone asks me if I am serious, I can honestly say that "No, I am Joe King!"

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
Western DEI and Singapore
Dec 10-14, 1941

With only a few hickups, the campaign for Singapore and the Western DEI is proceeding according to plan.

Malaya
After taking Kuantan on the 8th, as described earlier, 100 Zero--Tojo--Oscars occupy Kuantan's AF.

The 9th sees the 55th ID land at Mersing. The British planes try to interdict but are shot down in large numbers. The base falls on the 10th and the 55th begins moving due west to cutoff retreat from the north.

In conjunction with the landing at Mersing, nearly 70 IJA Transport Planes drop a Parachute unit on Malacca. A total of 25-30 Fighter fly CAP and nearly 80 bombers hit LUCU present. Unfortunately, it is not enough as the Japanese fail to take the base. That being said, however, the hex is in dispute and that means the railroad is CUT! Troops land again on 10th and 11th and are unable to capture the base.

The 11th sees the 55th arrive at Kloung and it EASILY falls cutting the retreat permanently. BANZAI!!! The Indian troops and all the support units are now dead...

The 12th sees the 2nd ID landing at Mersing and it is ordered south to Johore.

At Kuantan sits the 5th and 18th ID. They are fully reconstituted into IDs on the 13th. One will move west while the other is lifted down to Mersing.

Up north, 3 TK Reg, the Imperial Guards Division and 21st ID arrive and begin deploying to push south. Hammer-to-Anvil BABY! Singapore will fall by January 5th.

Singapore itself is swept by Japanese Fighters on the 13th and 18 Val DB hit Force Z. BB Prince of Wales takes 2 B, BC Renown takes a Bomb, BC Repulse takes a single Bomb as well as the Dutch Kortenaer getting hit once.

Western DEI
Singkawang
This base falls to a large Fast TF that drops off the 21st Brigade. An Air HQ and 3 Base Forces will land on the 14th and life will become very, VERY difficult for the Allies.

Palembang
The same large TF of 6 CA, 7 CL, and 4 DD return to the area and drop off the 124th Inf Reg and 2 Base Forces at Palembang on the 13th. They arrive and unload the troops, deliver a devastating bombardment (589 Cas, 13 Guns, and 9 Vehicles) before fighting nearly EVERY SINGLE ALLIED CA OR CL IN THE THEATRE! Here is the roll call of battle:

Dutch TF of DeRuyter, Java, Eendracht and 4 DD
The Dutch lose CL's Java and Eendracht
British TF of Mauritius and DD
US TF of CL Marblehead and 5 DD
US TF of CA's Chicago, Houston, and 2 DD

EVERY Cruiser noted above is severely mauled. I mean MAULED. 3-5 DD are crippled.

The only Japanese loss is CA Yoshino (Myoko-Class) with another CA damaged, a CL moderately damaged, and 1 DD roughed up.

It might be fairly safe to say that each of these remaining ships is in deep KIMCHEE!

Java--Borneo
A Japanese CTF of 2 CVL (50 F and 21 TB) moves along the coast of Southern Borneo to launch ambush strikes against survivors moving out from Singers and Palembang.

Next turn or two will be highly interesting!

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[ny59giants]

My "young Jedi" seems to have perfected the "Mersing Gambit." The Force seems to be with you here.